I had a weight-loss breakthrough last week. It came in the unlikely form of a container full of cookies. I was trying, successfully (although barely), to resist the temptation to snack on them mid-afternoon and thus giving myself a little pep talk. While I went through the traditional line of half-hearted reasoning that usually ends in weakened resolve and giving in to temptation a brand new thought hit me: "Successfully thin people don't routinely snack on cookies in the middle of the afternoon. I have to think like a thin person!"
One of my favorite motivational authors/speakers is a financial expert by the name of Dave Ramsey. (Some of you are wondering what can possibly be inspirational about finances!) On his daily call-in radio show he will sometimes give advice that is contrary to the counsel of the other "experts" in the caller's life, based on what he calls "plain math." In these cases he often tells people, "if you want to be rich, study rich people (not your broke brother-in-law with an opinion) and do what they do." In my case, if I want to be thin I need to replace my default mindset with the thought and motivation of those who succeed in being thin.
This may not sound very revolutionary, but when compared to the way I've been thinking for my entire weight loss journey, it is almost a 180-degree shift for me. I lost 45 pounds after giving birth to Benjamin. While pregnant with Talia I gained back some pregnancy pounds (as I should have) and have now lost all but 5 of that. Now that I am "mostly" back to pre-pregnancy weight, losing momentum, and busy with routine and kids I am finding that my old line of reasoning is dangerously close to leading back to my old (not thin) self. As this new thought settles in and takes root I am realizing I have gone through my entire journey mostly thinking, "what can I get away with?" rather than, "what will best help me meet my goals?"
When I compare these two thought patterns I realize the first sets me up in a victim mentality. I am imagining myself under the thumb of some undefined authority and, like a mischievous imp, trying to push the limits to the point just before I get in trouble. My, how mature. That sounds like my 2-year-old! On the other hand having a default mindset that involves the bigger picture (my goals) automatically places me in a position of strength. I am no longer slave to those unwanted masters, Guilt and Obligation; instead I have given authority to a much nobler captain: Hope. I am seeing a worthy goal and choosing to believe it is attainable. When I make decisions that will lead to the desired outcome, temporarily painful though they may be, the results are only positive and beneficial.
Hmm. This is all sounding strangely familiar. Maybe its the echo of that famous Weight Watchers mantra floating around in my head "It's not a diet, it's a lifestyle." Or as the title of one email newsletter asked lately, "Are you still thinking like a dieter?" Isn't it funny how something you've heard a million times before can suddenly make perfect sense?
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1 comment:
This is so true, Kiersten. I've been on every diet in the world - even very successfully with WW (although I ended up gaining that weight back, and then some). But six months ago, it finally hit me - I have to see myself as thin, healthy, and fit (not the fat girl on another diet). I started walking, then running, cut almost all the processed food out of my diet (especially white sugar), and made myself like veggies (one day I said, "I am going to eat red peppers, and I'm going to eat them until I like them!") Now, I'm down 40 lbs, training for my first race, and feel great. I have convinced myself that I am, in fact, a healthy woman!
Good for you, for your newest "AHA". I guess you're right - we all hear this stuff time and time again, but it takes a while before we really get it!
Congrats,
Jenne
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